Uninitiated people often mistake mountaineering and rock climbing for the same thing. After all, both involve the outdoors, are extremely adventurous, require specialized gear, and have the potential to be very dangerous. However, the two cousins of the world of outdoor adventure are very different indeed and the main differences between rock climbing and mountain climbing are the gear requirements, the environmental risks, the geographical locations, the weather and the conditions, the duration of climbs, the climbing techniques, and the safety procedures.
Most likely, if you found this article you are a rock climber looking to expand your skills and experience on the mountain, or the other way around (likely not very many of you).
Our goal in this article is to explore the differences and similarities between them, focusing mainly on gear and locations.
Definitions
Those who are new to all of this may need some definitions, just for the sake of clarity.
Rock Climbing
Climbing a rock face is a technical physical activity in which you physically ascend or traverse it.
Climbing can be divided into several categories, including indoor climbing, sport climbing, lead climbing, traditional climbing, and ice climbing.
For this to be successful, you need specialized equipment, techniques, and training. Routes are typically shorter and can be completed within minutes or hours.
Mountain Climbing
Getting to the summit of a mountain is called mountain climbing, also known as mountaineering.
This includes many skills, such as survival, navigation, using specialized equipment, endurance, and sometimes rock climbing.
The route is typically longer and can take anywhere from a few hours to a few months to complete.
Differences between rock climbing and mountain climbing
You will not find mountaineering routes in the middle of a rock climbing route when you’re on a mountaineering trek. This is because their lengths are so vastly different.
Differences in location
You can go mountaineering for a short day trip or extend your trip by weeks if you wish.
On the other hand, rock climbing generally involves shorter routes (even multi-pitch climbs can be completed in a day).
You don’t have to camp out to reach a specific rock climbing route, but it usually requires a short hike.
Due to its location in the mountains, mountaineering is called such. Rock climbing can take place anywhere there are suitable rocks. Mountain climbing is most common, but not always. A good example is the Rocklands in South Africa. While there are a few hills in the area, there are some of the best, world-class rock climbing routes in the country.
Mountain regions are generally cold, even in equatorial areas. You could start the day in blistering heat and end it in freezing cold if you live in a tropical region.
On the other hand, rock climbing is possible anywhere, so your weather precautions will change depending on the region and season you’re in.
The Different Challenges of Rock Climbing
Climbing a rock face is all about overcoming technical obstacles.
A rock face can be climbed by using gymnastic movements combined with special equipment. What a great experience!
You need physical strength, technique, and knowledge of how to use fall protection equipment, such as a harness, belay device, cams, bolts, carabiners, etc., to be successful.
When rock climbing, you must be able to perform technical physical movements. Even though you have to get used to the fear of falling and other scary things, rock climbing is primarily a physical activity.
The Versus in Mountaineering
On the other hand, mountaineering is far more objective in terms of its hazards.
You need to be physically fit (extremely fit! ), but the game is more about your mind. There are objective potential hazards such as glaciers, seracs (ice cliffs), crevasses, Bergschrunds, rock falls, and avalanches that have to be overcome.
This is definitely not for the fainthearted. When crossing a territory, it is important to read the environment correctly and manage the risks properly.
While rock climbing is also potentially lethal, the environmental risk is usually much lower than what you would find in mountaineering.
Mountain Climbing vs Rock Climbing: Gear Differences
There are many differences between rock climbing and mountaineering in terms of gear.
When mountaineering, you have a pack; anything that doesn’t fit in it stays at home.
Weight is an important factor. Because you will tire more quickly if you carry a heavy pack, you take as little as possible and you watch the weight of everything you pack.
On most trips, everyone in the group will need the same equipment, so you can’t necessarily share it.
The same holds true in rock climbing in some cases, but not always.
Due to the ease of getting to routes, you can bring quite a bit with you. Most of your gear stays at the bottom of the route you’re climbing, with your belayer and other friends who’ve come along for the day.
For every two to three climbers, you only need one rack (complete set of rope and attached equipment), so carrying the equipment is a team effort.
Below, you’ll find a list of some of the most important rock climbing equipment:
- Helmet
- Carabiners
- Belay Device
- Shoes (climbing shoes and approach shoes – running shoes usually do the trick)
- Harnesses
- Quickdraws
- Rope
- Chalk Bag
The following equipment is essential for mountaineering:
No matter where you go trekking, you will need warm clothing to protect you from the cold. You only need crampons and ice axes if you’re trekking on a route covered with ice and snow.
Harness Differences
Even though you can use the same harness for mountaineering and rock climbing, there are a few specific differences in functionality that should be taken into account:
- When rock climbing, you usually only wear your harness for a short time at a time. A sport climber carries a relatively small amount of gear with him, so fewer gear loops are needed.
- Due to the fact that sport climbers carry less gear than traditional climbers, traditional harnesses have four gear loops instead of two.
- You need a lot of gear when you go mountaineering. Your harness should have at least four loops so that you can carry everything you need.
- You will be putting your harness on while wearing crampons, so keep this in mind. You will need adjustable leg loops.
- Rock climbing has leg loops which are adjustable or drop-and-release are only needed if you need to use the bathroom during a multi pitch climb.
- It can be seen that the harnesses used for the two sports overlap in some ways. If you are shopping for a harness, ensure that it performs the tasks you require.
Rock & Mountain Climbing have a lot in common
Rock climbing and mountaineering are both adventure sports and require special equipment.
For either one of these to be successful, you need a strong mind and training. In each of these sports, you will face physical challenges that will scare the daylights out of you, which will require you to use your “mind over matter” skills.
There aren’t many similarities beyond that.
Conclusion
Climbing and mountaineering are both extreme sports that offer great rewards and are fun as well.
This article should shed some light on the differences between the two. Please let us know if we overlooked anything. Happy exploring!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is the difference between rock climbing and mountain climbing?
In contrast to rock climbing, mountaineering is a more holistic sport focused on scaling mountains. Mountaineering is more of a general sport than rock climbing.
What are the 5 different ratings in climbing?
A 5.0 to 5.7 is considered easy, a 5.8 to 5.10 is considered intermediate, a 5.11 to 5.12 would be considered hard, and a 5.13 to 5.15 would be regarded as very hard. Ascent grades do not take into account danger; they describe only the physical difficulty of the route.
What is the difference between mountaineering and alpinism?
In traditional mountaineering, you go up and down the mountain multiple times before making your way to the summit. Alpine climbing, on the other hand, emphasizes ‘fast and light’ ascents.
Is bouldering good for mountaineering?
Bouldering helps climbers master more technical moves by training them to do moves that require more control, balance, and precision footwork. This helps when you transition into high wall rock climbing, where you can work on other aspects, such as endurance.
What is the meaning of rock climbing and trekking?
Specifically, rock climbing involves climbing rock faces with ropes and special equipment. The goal of the concept is to reach the top of a rock face or structure. The type of equipment needed depends on the degree of difficulty and severity of the climb. Trekking, on the other hand, is the act of going on foot across difficult terrain, generally for the pleasure of a jungle trek.
